Background:In societies
where physician and patient's family plays an important role in decision making and is often
informed of the diagnosis before the patient, the degree of patient involvement
in decision making regarding is largely controlled by family members. The study
intended to explore whether and to what extent patients want to participate in
treatment decision making if provided with complete diagnostic and treatment
information and clearly defined goals.

Aim: The
aim of this study was to determine the preferences for involvement in treatment
decision making among patients with cancer.

Methods: Information
about patients’ views regarding involvement in treatment decision making was
collected using a questionnaire from a heterogeneous sample of 232 individuals
visiting Multan Institute of Niuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy and Nishtar
Medical College Hospital, Multan.

Results: Majority
of the patients interviewed were likely to let the physician make decisions
regarding their disease management. The overall proportion of patients
preferring active, collaborative and passive roles were 35.4%, 2.6% and 62%
respectively. Majority of the patients thought that cancer patients should be
involved in decisions regarding their treatment, although paradoxically 75%
were of the view that all the cancer patients do not have the ability to get
involved in deciding about their treatment. Half of the patients (50.4%) opined
that if a patient does not want to be involved in deciding about treatment, the
physicians should nevertheless try to involve him in deciding about his
treatment.

Conclusions: The results of the study
suggest that oncologists should individually assess each patient to determine
the type of role they prefer in making decisions about their treatment.